I have never been a big NASCAR fan, so living just 20 minutes from Michigan International Speedway (MIS) has been wasted on me and my family. Normally on race weekends, we stay as far away from MIS as possible, but last weekend I embraced NASCAR for the first time.

I took a writing assignment about the promotion of American Ethanol at the races. American Ethanol sponsors Austin Dillon and Kenny Wallace; they both have “American Ethanol” emblems on their car and Kenny has a big green “Family Famers” emblem on the hood, which is pretty impressive!

After getting my media credentials, all the passes that get you into the holy of holies on the infield and meeting the ethanol gang, we were shuttled off to NASCAR heaven. Riding along with the president of the National Corn Growers Assoc., Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, we visited about the farm bill and our personal (read: off the record) comments about politics.

Headed through the underground tunnel, we found ourselves on the infield covered with diehard NASCAR fans, brightly colored semis carrying the racecars and all the people affiliated with every area of the racing industry. As we walked beyond the security guards and a line of people hanging over a chain-link fence waiting to get autographs of anyone famous, I entered an incredible place where millions of dollars were spent on the simple sport that began with bootlegging in the South.

Someone shouted, “There’s Harvick!” I looked up to get a picture, and all I saw was a guy walking with his racing jumpsuit half off, tied around his waist with the name “Harvick” embroidered on it. I took the picture, not even knowing if this was really Kevin or not – I was such a tourist!

We toured Austin’s semi and visited with his crew; later, I found out I should have gotten his autograph, as he’s currently the youngest NASCAR driver.

The pit area was our next stop, right next to the track where the drivers come in to get gassed up and all that interesting stuff. As we continued to walk through the semis we stopped at Kenny’s spot. I had no idea who he was, only that American Ethanol sponsored his car.

He was in a drivers’ meeting and as we stood and waited for him, my new friend, Garry, was visiting with this woman sitting in a chair. Eavesdropping on the conversation, I found out this woman was Kenny’s wife, Kim, so of course I slipped in beside her and introduced myself. We had a great conversation about the world of NASCAR and family, and that they have three daughters in their twenties – and how she and Kenny have been married 28 years this month.

She was a lovely, gracious, transparent woman, admitting that she didn’t really enjoy the racing life but she loved Kenny, so she supported him. I was really kind of amazed at this, but then I met Kenny and realized that supporting this guy might not be as difficult as I thought; charisma and a pleasing personality oozed from this man dressed in plain clothes and psychedelic Converse tennis shoes.

He walked up, opened his arms and welcomed us to his camp, posing for the camera. Standing nearby was a race fan who sheepishly asked Kenny for his autograph – and of course, Kenny obliged with genuine interest in the man.

Kenny invited us into his trailer and we visited about what ethanol has done for the sport of racing and how he enjoys supporting and standing up for America’s family farmers. His love for the sport and for life itself was infectious.

There was an excitement in his presence and his energy permeated the world around him. By the time I got done, I was asking for this once-a-stranger-now-a-friend’s autograph.

After I watched a few of the time trials, I decided it was time to leave the race world and re-enter the farm world again. Arriving home, I was glad for my up close and personal NASCAR experience, and I actually watched the race that afternoon with a new interest.

Thanks American Ethanol, for the opportunity to meet and greet another piece of Americana!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.